Studio Esteta Nails Intimate Dining with Melbourne’s New Bistronomy Concept Harriot.

Tucked into the base of 555 Collins Street, Harriot is the Conferre Group’s latest dining venture. The team behind beloved Tipo00, Osteria Ilaria, Figlia, and Grana have embraced something called ‘bistronomy’—basically taking the relaxed vibe of a bistro and elevating it with serious food.

Studio Esteta designed the space to match this approach. Instead of shouting for attention, Harriot whispers sophistication through smart material choices and clever layout. Think European wine bars and Southern European bistros, but with that distinctly Melbourne edge.

The palette is all about texture and warmth. Natural stone grounds the space while textural renders, timber, and aged brass add layers without feeling busy. Curved joinery flows through the restaurant, guiding you naturally from entrance to table, while custom lighting keeps things intimate—exactly what head chef James Kelly needs for his ingredient-focused menu.

What’s clever about the layout is how it works double-duty. Built-in banquettes create cosy dining pockets while keeping the flow between the semi-open kitchen and dining room smooth. Everything has a purpose—integrated storage, logical pathways, different zones for different moods. It all supports the kind of service that makes dining here feel effortless.

The café curtains are a nice touch, too. They nod to the building’s office location, creating intrigue from the street while giving diners a break from Collins Street’s bustle. It’s these details that show Studio Esteta really thought about how the space would live and breathe.

Every element feels considered but not overthought. The custom stone bar, those gently curved banquettes, the way materials play together—it all supports what Harriot is trying to be. The collaboration with local makers and choice of durable materials also shows they’re thinking long-term, not just about what looks good in photos.

Harriot proves you don’t need to be loud to make an impact. The space lets the food, wine, and service take centre stage—which is exactly the point.

Studio Esteta has created something that feels both grounded and elevated. It’s the kind of place that gets better each time you visit, where you notice new details and appreciate the thought behind every choice.

Interview: Felicity Slattery & Sarah Cosentino of Studio Esteta.

"Fundamental to our overall approach is our strong belief and value in honesty, transparency and unpretentiousness, which guides our behaviour as a studio but similarly our approach with materials and design."

[Images courtesy of Studio Esteta. Photography by Sean Fennessy.]